The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dare Bejide, has raised serious allegations of vote buying and physical assault during the Saturday governorship election at Polling Unit 004, Ward 2, Oke Adura, Ilawe-Ekiti. Bejide claims that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including local government officials, openly distributed money to voters in an attempt to influence the election outcome. He also stated that his driver was injured during an altercation at the polling unit while trying to protect him from being pushed by APC supporters. The driver was taken to a hospital for medical treatment following the incident.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, Bejide condemned the alleged vote-buying as a direct violation of democratic principles and a disgrace to Nigeria’s electoral process. He said the incident had been reported to the police but expressed frustration over the inadequate response from security personnel on the ground. Bejide emphasized that such actions undermine public trust in the electoral system and set a dangerous precedent for future elections in Ekiti and across Nigeria.
His son, Olumide Bejide, echoed these concerns, alleging that APC leaders flooded polling units in Ilawe-Ekiti with large sums of money, distributing cash to voters in blatant disregard of INEC’s guidelines. He criticized the APC for attempting to “buy the conscience of the masses” and remarked that the amount of money being circulated could have been used to repair all the bad roads in Ekiti State. Olumide described the actions as not only unethical but also a waste of resources that could have benefited the public.
In response, APC chieftain Makinde Araoye dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He maintained that the election was being conducted peacefully across the state and praised INEC’s improved technology for streamlining voter accreditation and reducing ballot delays. Araoye expressed confidence that Governor Biodun Oyebanji would be re-elected, citing the governor’s strong performance in office and widespread public support.
Araoye denied any involvement in the physical altercation with Bejide, stating he was simply monitoring the electoral process within his ward when a disagreement occurred. He claimed Bejide attempted to block his movement around the polling area and that he acted in self-defence. He insisted he had the right to observe activities in his ward and that no wrongdoing occurred on his part.
As of the time of reporting, neither the police nor INEC had released an official statement addressing the allegations. The situation remains under scrutiny, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder. The outcome of the election and how these claims are investigated could have lasting implications for democratic integrity in Ekiti State.
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